Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 38

• 
• 

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Shell Compensation: Bodo Community Rejects N7.5 Billion Offer

Shell officials on Monday began talks in Port Harcourt with representatives of the Bodo community on compensation and clean-up, five years after one of the worst oil spills in the country’s history. But the community rejected the off of N7.5 billion offered by the company as its lawyers described it as ‘derisory and insulting’. Some experts say two oil spills that started in 2008 led to the largest loss of a mangrove habitat ever caused by an oil spill, affecting about 30,000 people. Although Shell has admitted responsibility for the two spills, the impact has been disputed and will be the main focus of negotiations in Port Harcourt. Shell said a joint investigation team estimated that 4,100 barrels were lost in the two spills. An estimate of 15,000 fishermen and 31,000 inhabitants of 35 villages were affected in and around the Bodo lagoon and its associated waterways. The law firm said independent experts estimated between 500,000 and 600,000 barrels were spilled, devastating the environment that sits amid 90 square kilometres (35 square miles) of mangroves, swamps and channels. Leigh Day, the British law firm representing the villagers, said the compensation offer amounted to approximately 1,100 pounds ($1,700) per individual impacted, without giving the number of people it says were affected.

Abia Assembly Laments Spate of Missing Persons

The Abia State House of Assembly has expressed concern over increasing cases of missing persons in the state, describing it as worrisome. The House, therefore, passed a resolution calling on security agencies in the state to intensify efforts in securing lives and property of residents of the state. The resolution of the House followed a matter of urgent public importance raised by the member representing Umuahia Central constituency, Grace Uche, on the increase in the number of missing persons in the state. The House also urged parents to monitor and pay more attention to the movement of their children and wards, especially in the last quarter of the year. The House further called on the people to always show greater interest and love in matters affecting their neighbours, saying such a gesture would help tackle vices.

Kidnapped Anglican Cleric Regains Freedom

Abducted Anglican cleric, Most Reverend Ignatius Kattey of Niger Delta Diocese, was at the weekend, released from the kidnappers den. The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Angela Agabe, confirmed that the cleric was rescued by the police and other security forces on Saturday evening. Kattey and his wife, Beatrice, were taken on the night of Friday September 6, at Aleto in Eleme LGA of Rivers State. While his wife was later abandoned, Kattey was taken to an unknown destination. President Goodluck Jonathan had, on Thursday, vowed that the Federal Government would do everything possible to ensure the release of Kattey. The president disclosed that he had met the heads of security agencies to work out plans on how to ensure quick release of the high-ranking priest and bring the abductors to book.

NDLEA Makes First arrest at Enugu Airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the newly-upgraded Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, has made its first arrest and cocaine seizure. The suspect, Chizoba Anselem Nwabuwa, 32-year-old undergraduate, was apprehended during the inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian flight from Brazil enroute Addis-Ababa. He was found to have ingested liquid cocaine packed inside male condoms. The head of the NDLEA at the Airport, Mr Nsikak-Abasi Udoh, who confirmed the arrest, said that the suspect excreted 25 wraps of a liquid that tested positive for cocaine, weighing 1.250kg. This first arrest and seizure is exciting to us because we just commenced operations” Nsikak-Abasi said.

12-Year-Old Commits Suicide in Yenagoa

A 12-year-old girl was found dead on Monday in a suspected suicide in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Bayelsa Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Alex Akhigbe, said that the girl allegedly hanged herself on Monday. The young girl reportedly killed herself behind her father’s house. He, however, said that investigations were ongoing in the matter to establish the motive behind the girl’s alleged action. “Her parents have not talked to the police. We are still investigating to get to the root of the matter,” he said.

6 Killed as Youths Sack Akwa Ibom Villages

At least six persons have been killed, while some villages in Effiat in Mbo LGA of Akwa Ibom State were sacked by irate youths. The youths set homes on fire during a protest over lack of basic amenities and non-payment of compensation by the oil companies operating in the areas. Thousands of the fleeing villagers are currently taking refuge at Ibaka beach with household items rescued from the inferno. The rampaging youths also accused two prominent sons of the area of depriving them of their entitlements and diverting to their private pockets, the money paid by the oil companies for the development of the communities. Trouble, it was learnt, started when two surveillance boats belonging to the two prominent sons working for the oil companies were seized by the youths, after efforts to get the two to release the money as agreed failed.

Navy Arrests 10 over Diesel Theft

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy have arrested a Cameroonian and nine Nigerians for allegedly stealing 360,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in the Niger Delta region. According to a statement, troops from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO of the Central Naval Command (CNC), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, apprehended the suspected oil thieves offshore Brass River, in Brass LGA of the state. It was learnt that a patrol team of the navy intercepted the vessel, penultimate Friday and discovered that it was loaded with 360,000 litres of AGO. The 10 suspects were arrested on board the ship. The Operation Officer of the command, Commodore Emmanuel Enemor, said the ship lacked valid documents authorising her to carry the product.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Tension in Udu Community over Killing of 3 by Vigilante Group

There was tension in Owhase community in Udu LGA of Delta State over the alleged kidnap and killing of three citizens by members of the Ovwian vigilante group. The victims were arrested on July 30. It was learnt that members of the vigilante group stormed the residence of the victims and arrested two brothers, Onome Emakpor, Akpevwen Emakpor and a family friend, Samuel Obebe, who was on a visit, while reportedly on a manhunt for one Ekugbe. Counsel to the victims, Oghenejabor Ikimi, in a petition to the Inspector General of Police, said after the arrest, the victims were locked up in the boot of the cars that brought the said vigilante and were driven to the Ovwian Town Hall, where they joined four others arrested by the said vigilante men from Owhase town. He said all those arrested were tortured for hours before Onome, Samuel and one Boloko were separated from the others and taken to the back of the Ovwian town hall where several gunshots were heard and since then, their whereabouts remain unknown.

Ozekhome Regains Freedom

Human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who was released on Thursday morning after 21 days in captivity, said his abductors have vowed to disrupt the 2015 general election and move against politicians if immediate steps were not taken to address youth unemployment and the high level of poverty in the nation. Ozekhome, who narrated his ordeal in the hands of kidnappers, said that his abductors were educated but desperate Nigerian youths. He said he was not aware if any ransom was paid to secure his freedom but that he was released along with 12 others. His older brother, Dr. Francis Ozekhome, denied that a ransom was paid for his younger brother’s release.

Ijaw, Itsekiri Communities Lament Woes of Oil Spill

Residents of Itsekiri/Ijaw communities along coasts of Delta and Bayelsa states, have cried out to the Federal Government to save them from sudden death and other debilitating after effects of  December 20, 2011 Bonga oil spill. This gory state of the people was brought to the fore again by the Association of Named/Ijaw Communities Impacted by Shell/SNEPCo Bonga Oil Spillage in Warri Delta, on Thursday. In the statement signed by Chairman/coordinator, F. A. Monday Esq., and other principal members, the communities alleged that the December 20, 2011 Bonga field oil spill is responsible for illnesses, hardships, and death of over 150 persons and about 5,000 who are at present under the throes of ailments and death  in the coastal line.

Benin Monarch Abducted

The traditional ruler of Udo community and an in-law to the Benin traditional monarch, Patrick Igbinidu, was reportedly abducted by suspected kidnappers at his dukedom. The traditional ruler, known as the Iyasere of Udo, was allegedly kidnapped at about 7 pm by a four-man gang while playing draft with his friends near his palace in the community and was forcibly taken away to an unknown destination in an Audi car. The Chairman of Ovia South-West Local Government Area, Morrison Ogunrobo, confirmed the kidnap of the traditional ruler, adding that security operatives had been drafted to the area.

Company Decries Attack on its Facilities

The management of Midwestern Oil and Gas has condemned the attack on its facilities by armed youths in the host community of Umusadege Community in Ndokwa West LGA of Delta State. The company secretary, Mr Chris Omoru, said that the company lamented the inhuman treatment meted out on the company’s personnel and maintained that the attack was unwarranted and called for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the attack. The statement further explained that a certain amorphous group under the aegis of Umusadege Youth Forum had written to it two weeks before the attack threatening to disrupt its operations unless its demands were met. The company noted that the allegations and demands of the group were as strange as they were unfounded. The company stressed that the assailants were unknown both to the community and the company, as its relationship with the community remained cordial.

Itsekiri Celebrate as Monarch Reaffirms Traditional Title

The Itsekiri people of Delta State indicated to the world over the weekend that they were at daggers drawn with their revered monarch, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, over his decision to midwife a new order in the kingdom that would notably change the royal, historical title of "Ogiame" with a new title that would reflect his personal status as a Christian. But as the people geared for a showdown, the monarch quickly rescinded his decision leading to a peaceful resolution of the crisis. A prominent Itsekiri son, Dr. Felix Omatseye, said the peaceful nature of the three-day protest by the people was a celebration of the remarkable culture of Itsekiri people as a peace-loving people. This sudden end to the disapproval of the monarch's regal edict, namely the “New Order of Iwere Kingdom” followed an announcement by the council of chiefs that the king had had a rethink and retraced his steps on the matter that seemed like one of life and death to his chiefs and the people in general.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Policewomen Dismissed over N100 Bribe

Two traffic police women, Corporals Elizabeth Itolor and Jennifer Azingbe, who were videotaped receiving N100 bribe from a bus driver in Lagos, have been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force. Itolor and Azingbe, attached to the Makinde Police Division, were said to have received their dismissal letters on Wednesday. The Police Provost Unit of the Lagos State Command concluded an orderly room trial of the policewomen last week. Both women were said to have spent nine years in the police before their dismissal. In the video posted on YouTube, the driver instructed his conductor to hand over N100 to the policewoman as the women strongly insisted on collecting the money. The policewoman subsequently alighted from the bus and was later seen in the video walking away with her colleague. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said she would call back.

Cultists Rape Woman, Kill Husband, Three Others in Lagos

Rival cultists, Tuesday night, clashed in Somolu and Ketu areas of Lagos, leaving four persons dead and several others injured. In Ajelogo area of Ketu, it was gathered that suspected cultists stormed a suspected rival’s home identified simply as Seyi in the early hours of Monday and clubbed him to death, after they had raped his wife and flung his nine-month old baby out of the bed. It was gathered that three persons were arrested by the police. The suspects were reportedly leaving the scene when they were accosted. Seyi’s widow, who is yet to come to terms with her husband’s demise, told policemen at the station that there had been threats on her husband’s life by the cultists, who accused him of being an informant to another cult group. In a similar incident in Somolu area, what was described as a reprisal attack on the group that killed Seyi left three persons dead. The cultists were said to have first shot one Tunde dead, after accusing him of raping one of their member’s pregnant wife during an earlier attack.

Landlord in Court over Death of Fellow Landlord

A 54-year-old landlord of a property in Lagos, Michael Igbonoba, has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court over death of another landlord, Femi Fajuhami, after a fight over payment of PHCN bills. Igbonoba and Fajuhami were said to be members of a landlord’s association in their area. While the defendant was said to be in charge of collection of PHCN bills for the association, the deceased was its chairman. Fajuhami had allegedly challenged Igbonoba for collecting money from residents without remitting same as of when due, leading to into fisticuffs between both men with the deceased sustaining injuries and cuts. He was said to have died shortly after the incident. Igbonoba was subsequently charged with the murder of the 60-year-old man. The defendant’s plea was not taken, while the prosecutor, Corporal Onaiwu Iyobosa, applied that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending the advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP). The magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending the advice from the DPP.

Businessman Chains Apprentice for 10 Days without Food

The police are trying to track down a businessman, Elochukwu Ikwueze, who allegedly tied up his apprentice, Thankgod Nwabisi, 23, for 10 days in his house in Lagos without food or water.  According to Nwabisi, he was accused of not reconciling their sale’s book properly resulting in the loss of N4,000. The ugly incident aroused the anger of their neighbours who promptly alerted the police. The policemen reportedly broke into the premises and were shocked to see a 23-year-old boy, tied hands and legs and dumped like an animal in one corner of the room with bruises all over his head and body. The divisional Police officer, Musa Lariski reportedly directed his men to quickly rush the boy to the nearest hospital where he was given medical attention. It was learnt that since then, efforts made to get the owner of the house and his wife yielded negative results.

Grandfather Remanded in Prison over Rape of 11-Year-Old

A senior Magistrate’s Court in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered that a grandfather, Titiloye Tella, be remanded in Ilesa Prison for allegedly raping an 11-year-old vendor. The Police Prosecutor, Mr. Wilson Merete, told the court that the accused called the girl who was hawking old newspapers and allegedly dragged her into his bedroom where he forcefully had carnal knowledge of her. The prosecutor said that Tella stuffed the girl’s mouth with cloth to silence her and only released her after he had accomplished his mission. The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Senior Magistrate, Olusola Aluko, ordered that the accused person be remanded in Ilesa Prison while his lawyer, Mr. S. B. Ajibade, should furnish the court with a written application for the accused bail.

Governor Threatens Sanction on Parents of Children Denied Education

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Thursday, said no fewer than 10.5 million children of school age had been denied access to education in the country, threatening to sanction parents found to have denied their children access to education in the state. The governor spoke in Emure Ekiti during the official flag-off of the registration of primary school pupils for the 2013/2014 academic session. Fayemi expressed worry that despite the free education policy introduced by the state government and the huge investment on education, some parents still allowed their wards to hawk goods during the school hours. He reminded parents of the Child Rights Law and Universal Basic Education Law forbidding parents from sending their children or wards to hawk during school hours.

Teenagers Nabbed over Attempted Kidnap

Police in Ondo State, Thursday, arrested three teenagers for attempting to kidnap an 11-year-old boy, Precious Kehinde. The teenagers, whose ages ranged between 13 and 15, were arrested by detectives acting on tip-off at Iparuku Street in Ondo town. It was learnt that report of the activities of the teenagers in the town had been lodged with the police. Police source said that the report was brought by a youth leader in the community, where the teenagers planned to kidnap the boy. Grandmother of Kehinde, Morenike Akinbinu, said that she was in her house at Iparuku Street, when somebody called and informed her that her child had been kidnapped by two young boys. Akinbinu said that she rushed to the scene and saw the two boys dragging Kehinde. She added that she raised alarm at that point, which attracted people, who came to her rescue. According to her, the suspected kidnappers were later arrested and taken to the police station for questioning.

Lagos Retires School Principal, Eight Others for Examination Malpractice

The Lagos State Government has retired a school principal, the vice-principal and seven other senior teachers from the state’s civil service. The teachers were accused of involving in examination malpractice during the last May/June West African School Certificate Examination. The officers, who were staff of Lagos Senior Model College, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, were found guilty of aiding and abetting their students to cheat during the writing of Mathematics paper. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba, explained that the government acted on the findings by WAEC officials who had investigated the allegation that the teachers deliberately abandoned the examination hall on the fateful day to give “the students they were supposed to invigilate an opportunity to cheat.” Part of the evidence used to nail the officers included a recorded tape that confirmed their culpability.

GENERAL

18 Killed in Fresh Boko Haram Attack
…As Military Claim Killing Of 50 Insurgents

Clashes, last Sunday, in Borno state left five Boko Haram Islamists and 13 fighters from a vigilante group dead. The deaths occurred after Boko insurgents attacked the town of Benishiek in the early hours of Sunday and a gunfight broke out. The youths (vigilantes) in Benishiek lost 13 of their members, who died in the ambush, while five Boko Haram fighters were killed in the fighting. Army spokesman in Borno State, Lt.Col Sagir Musa, confirmed the violence in Benishiek and said “troops are still combing the area in search of the fleeing terrorists”. An injured militia member, Mohamed Abuwar, said the vigilantes succeeded in preventing Boko Haram from carrying out a much more deadly attack. Meanwhile, the military says it raided an insurgent camp in the northeast and launched airstrikes over two days, killing at least 50 sect members. Military spokesman Lt. Col. Sagir Musa said Friday that the military’s newly formed army division, established to quell the insurgency in the northeast, participated in the raid. This came as residents said nine people were killed in a highway attack by the Islamic sect on Thursday.

23 Killed as Bridge Collapses in Katsina

No fewer than 23 persons were feared killed in multiple crashes, when their vehicles plunged into a collapsed bridge at Yar’randa village in Charanchi LGA of Katsina State. The first crash involved a bus conveying 24 passengers which plunged into the bridge few minutes after its collapse on Monday night due to a downpour. The villagers said efforts made to alert the bus driver was to no avail as he was on high speed. The bus and the passengers were swept by the heavy current and some of the dead bodies were recovered miles away at Ajiwa area. Only two of the passengers in the bus survived. Another person was reported dead when the vehicle he was in, a Mitsubishi truck, fell into the water at about 5.00 a.m. on Tuesday.

90 Nigerians Return from Tunisia

Tunisia and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), have assisted about 90 Nigerians, including women and children, return to Nigeria from Tunisia. While 77 of the returnees were from Edo State, eight were from Delta State and the others were drawn from Lagos, Imo, Kano, and Plateau States. It was gathered that the IOM, a United Nations body in the forefront of repatriating nationals of other countries from war-torn countries, had written the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on its plan to evacuate the affected persons who were victims of the Arab Spring uprising in Tunisia. NEMA's South West Coordinator, Mr. Iyiola Akande, said the returnees voluntarily opted to come back home due to the situation in Tunisia.

Gunmen Kill Four in Fresh Plateau Attacks
…STF Gets New Commander

Four persons were, last Sunday, killed following an attack on two villages in Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State by gunmen suspected to be Fulani mercenaries. Karkashi and Barrack villages were reportedly attacked simultaneously and reduced to ashes, when the attackers caught the people unaware. The attackers, after carrying out their dastardly act, reportedly fled into Taraba State. Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Taroh community in Wase LGA, Jungle Luhdut, said that the two villages have been completely burnt down with no single house standing. Meanwhile, the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis has named Major General David Eneite, as its new commander, taking over from Major General Henry Ayoola, who has been transferred to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

Accident Claims Lives of 11 Palace Guards

Eleven Hadejia palace guards in Jigawa State were killed in a motor accident, which involved their bus and a petroleum tanker on their way to Kano to receive the Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Abubakar Maje Haruna. The dead guards were buried on Tuesday amidst tears from hundreds of mourners, who trooped to the emir’s palace. The accident occurred at Zakirai town, at around 9pm. Though it was alleged that the bus conveying the emir’s guards was not over-speeding, eyewitnesses, however, said the bus collided with the petroleum tanker. The Information Officer of Hadejia LGA, Muhammad Garba Talaki, said the accident occurred as a result of a heavy downpour.

Man, Wife, Child Found Dead in New House

Three members of a family in Minna, Niger State were last weekend, found dead in their new house. The middle aged man, Seyi Adewale, a generator repairer, his wife, Felicia, aged 23 and their three-month-old daughter, Deborah, were, Tuesday, found dead in their room with the corpses already decomposing. It was gathered that they died on Saturday night, the day they moved into the house. It was gathered that the trio, who retired to one of their rooms late in the night to enjoy their first night in the house switched on their generating set close to the room while the fume emitting from the set consumed them overnight. The younger sister of the deceased husband, Deborah, who had made efforts to locate her brother got worried, and went visiting on Tuesday, but was shocked to find their decomposing body after forcing the door of the house open. She immediately raised alarm which attracted other neighbours.

FG Scraps Police Pension and Other Pension Offices

The Federal Government has scrapped the Civil Service Pension Department, the Police Pension Office and the Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Office (CIPPO). President Goodluck Jonathan has accordingly approved the establishment of a Pension Transition Arrangement Department (PTAD) and the appointment of Ms. Nellie Mayshak as its Director-General. This new development in the administration of pension was disclosed in a circular signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, in Abuja on Wednesday. In the circular, the Head of Service explained that the establishment of the new pension department was in line with Section 30, Sub Section (2a) of the Amended Pension Reform Act 2004, and it will take over the management of three of the offices presently running the old pension scheme.

Jonathan Sacks 9 Ministers

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, sacked nine ministers in his cabinet. The affected ministers were Ruqa’yyatu Rufa’i (Education); Ita Okon Ewa (Science and Technology); Olugbenga Ashiru (Foreign Affairs); Hadiza Mailafia (Environment); Olushola Obada (State, Defence); Shamsudeen Usman (National Planning); Bukar Tijani (State, Agriculture); Amal Pepple (Housing and Urban Development) and Zainab Kuchi (State, Power). Reasons for their sack were not immediately known. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Pius Anyim, made the announcement. Under the current structure, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs I, Professor Viola Onwuliri, will oversee the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Minister of State, Education Nyesom Wike, is to oversee Ministry of Education, while the Minister of Solid Minerals, Musa Sada, is to oversee the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Urban Development. Minister of Communications Technology is to oversee the Ministry of Science and Technology, while the Minister of State for Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, is to oversee the Ministry of Planning. Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina and his colleague in Power, Chinedu Nebo, were directed to take full charge of their ministries, pending the appointment of new ministers of state.

Maku Tasks Armed Forces on National Security, Peace

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, has taken over as the supervising Minister of Defence with a call for collaboration of the armed forces to achieve President Goodluck Jonathan’s objective for peace and economic transformation of the country.  Maku assured the armed forces and the members of staff of the Ministry of Defence of his total commitment to the federal government’s drive to transform the nation’s armed forces. He further commended members of the armed forces for the sacrifice they have been making to secure the nation from internal insurrection and external aggression. He pledged to work harder with the armed forces to ensure that the ongoing security operations and peace enforcement in all the hotspots in the country result in victories.

CJN Signs Fast Track Practice Direction into Law

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar, has signed a new practice direction which will allow the apex court to quickly dispense with appeals bordering on trial for terrorism, kidnapping, rape, corruption and money laundering. This was disclosed on Thursday by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Sunday Olorundahunsi. The Chief Registrar said the CJN was working with chief judges of states' high courts, the Abuja High Court, the Federal High Court and the presiding justices of the various divisions of the Court of Appeal to put in place an efficient system that would eliminate delays in criminal trials.

10 Boko Haram Members Killed, Two Terrorist Camps Destroyed in Borno

The Nigerian Army, on Wednesday, confirmed that 10 members of the Boko Haram sect were killed in an air strike on two of their camps in Borno State. The two camps of the terrorist group in Mada, within Konduga LGA of the state were destroyed during the air strike, while a soldier was injured. The spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, confirmed the air strike and subsequent destruction of two Boko Haram terrorist camps at Mada in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State. He said some troops of 231 battalion of the 7 Division on their way to Biu had an encounter with the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists on Maiduguri-Damboa road at about 10pm on Tuesday. He revealed that 10 terrorists lost their lives and some ammunition, including four AK47 rifles, five AK 47 magazines and 250 rounds of assorted ammunition were recovered from them.

Six in Bauchi Robbery Attack

Suspected armed robbers have killed six people and injured many others in Gambiri village, Ganjuwa council area of Bauchi State. State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Hassan Mohammed Auyo, confirmed the incident, adding that the police have commenced investigation. He said that the attackers were discovered o be cattle rustlers. The Director-General of Danga Security in the state, Alhaji Yusuf Hassan Sarkin Baka said that the armed robbers attacked Gambiri village and killed one person, and the villagers solicited for assistance of his men. But the robbers had fled before they got to the village. We therefore, took the corpse of the person they killed away. But unknown to them, the armed robbers had laid ambush and opened fire killing one vigilante, and four other civilians from the village.

Air Force Takes Delivery of Reactivated Jets, Aircraft

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken delivery of six reactivated Alpha Jets and a C-130 NAF Aircraft. This came as the Minister of State for Defence called on military authorities to focus more on the training of personnel and strategic research, which is key to resolving the security challenges in the country. However, it was gathered that the reactivated jets were part of those rehabilitated and re-commissioned under the Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM), the first of its kind for the NAF. The jets and aircraft were reactivated by the Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited (AETSL), a unit of the Nigerian Air Force Holdings Company (NAFHC), in conjunction with a foreign partner, Sabena Technics. The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Alex Badeh, said the reactivation of the aircraft and jets was to help in transporting troops in both external and external aggression.

Retired IGP Recommends Community Policing to Check Insecurity

A retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG, Uba Ringim, Tuesday said community policing was an important tool against terrorism and other social vices in the country. Ringim who spoke at an interactive session by the Nigeria Security Exhibition and Conference (NISEC) in Abuja,   noted that the benefits of community policing would be felt in the war against terrorism if well applied. "Most advanced countries were able to control crime through community policing, and I believe that we can still use community policing to tackle terrorism and other forms of crimes in the country”, he said.

Several Missing as Floods Sweep Away 300 Houses in Plateau

Scores of residents have been declared missing and over 300 houses destroyed in four LGAs of Plateau state following the flooding that resulted from a heavy downpour in the last Sunday. The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Alhasan Barde, said he was yet to receive accurate figures of the houses destroyed and those killed by the floods. Barde said the floods affected Jos North, Barkin Ladi, Kanam and Shendam LGAs, and homes were destroyed. The rains, which started in the afternoon on Sunday, lasted almost four hours resulting in the floods. The state government had repeatedly warned residents at the beginning of the year to stop building along water channels, urging those currently living along the channels to relocate and avoid possible floods.

Police Begin Biometric Registration of Vehicles

The Nigeria Police has announced plans to begin the new digital Biometric Central Motor Registration (BCMR) system, starting from Monday, 16 September, 2013. The Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar, called for the support, understanding and cooperation of Nigerians. The IGP explained that the introduction of the BCMR was due to the menace of terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminal acts in the country. He said unlike the old analogue CMR system of vehicle registration, the BCMR functions via smart card and portable hand-held receiver. He described the device as a technological means of attaching automobile owners’ unique traits and personal data to their vehicles for proper identification and protection.

FG Adopts Policy on Child Labour

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), Wednesday, adopted a draft policy on child labour to address the challenges of over six million Nigerian children involved in hazardous labour. The council also approved the sum of N2.4 billion for the establishment of Command Control Communication and Intelligence Centre for seaports at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which is expected to be completed within 14 months. The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chukwuemeka Wogu, disclosed that the draft policy was presented to the council by his ministry to address the prevalence of child labour, which undermined national development and provides a reservoir of children for easy recruitment into violent act. The policy, Wogu said, was adopted after a wide consultation with different tiers of government, labour union, employers’ associations, civil society and faith-based groups.

Gunmen Raze Police Station, Kill Three Officers in Yola

Tragedy struck Wednesday night in Yola as unknown men burnt down a police station and killed three officers in Yola, Adamawa State. Police Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, DSP Ibrahim Mohammed,   who confirmed the incident, said the gunmen also burnt a police patrol van at Lale Town. The incident occurred in Gombi LGA of the state.

Heavy Rainfall Causes Flood in Kaduna

Hundreds of people have been rendered homeless in Kaduna State, following the destruction of their homes by a heavy downpour which lasted for about 15 hours. Several parts of Kaduna metropolis were flooded with travellers stranded as the bridge connecting the road was submerged. Residents in flood-prone areas said they were taken unawares. However, officials of the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) could not comment on the incident, saying the agency was still assessing the disaster. Meanwhile, as the rainy season draws to a peak, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has requested the state governments and all other stakeholders to match their commitments with action towards addressing the challenges of flood. The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, said the early action would prevent reoccurrence of the huge losses suffered from the 2012 flood.

INTERNATIONAL

Syria: Russia Hands Weapons Plan to US

Russia has announced it had given the United States (U.S.) a plan to put Syria’s chemical weapons under international control, raising hope of a diplomatic solution to the crisis. The move came after threatened US-led strikes against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime were put on hold in response to Russia’s offer to oversee Syria giving up its arsenal. US Secretary of State, John Kerry, is to meet Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, for talks on the disarmament process. Russian officials provided no details of the plan, although both the U.S. and France stressed it remains an option if Syria is seen to be stalling. US President Barack Obama has expressed optimism that the initiative can lead to the removal of Syria’s chemical weapons without the use of force. Syria was threatened with strikes in response to the use of sarin gas in an August 21 attack on rebel-held suburbs of Damascus. The US says the attack killed more than 1,400 people and was carried out by Assad’s forces, a claim the regime denies.

Blast Damages Ministry Building in Benghazi

A car bomb, on Wednesday, damaged a Libyan Foreign Ministry building in Benghazi, causing no known casualties. According to reports, two years after the revolt that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, Libya is still riven along regional and tribal lines and dogged by armed violence, leaving the central government struggling to curb the clout of rival militias and radical Islamists. According to local security officials, a car packed with explosives was left beside the ministry building where it detonated at dawn, badly damaging it and several other buildings in the centre of Benghazi. A few hours before the Benghazi explosion, security forces defused a large bomb placed near the foreign ministry headquarters in the eastern Zawyat al Dahmani district of the capital, Tripoli, the government said.

Kenya Finds Vast Aquifers in Drought-Ravaged North

Kenyan government and aid agencies have announced the discovery of giant reservoirs of underground water by scientists hundreds of metres beneath the surface of the country’s drought-prone north that could irrigate crops and head off tribal conflict over shortages. Using satellite imagery, seismic technology normally used in the hunt for oil and gas and old-fashioned drilling, the United Nations (UN) scientific and cultural agency, UNESCO, and the Kenyan government identified five aquifers, two of which were explored. The aquifers reportedly hold an estimated total 250 billion cubic meters, while some 3.4 billion cubic meters replenish the underground lakes annually - roughly the same as Kenya’s current water use. Further tests were needed to confirm the quantity and quality of water, according to Judi Wakhungu, cabinet secretary for the environment, water and natural resources. If well managed, the aquifers could supply large-scale irrigation schemes in the barren north and industry, as well as drinking water.

Vice President of Kenya Pleads not Guilty in ICC Trial

Vice President William Ruto of Kenya, at the opening of his high-stakes trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), on Tuesday, pleaded not guilty to charges of fomenting the 2008 post-election violence in Kenya. The case opened with presiding Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji asking Ruto, 46 and fellow accused, Kenyan radio boss, Joshua Arap Sang, 38, to enter pleas to three charges of crimes against humanity each. Both men pleaded not guilty. Ruto came to court voluntarily from Nairobi to face charges of masterminding deadly post-election violence in Kenya, a bastion of stability in east Africa, after a tainted 2007 election. A crowd of Kenyan lawmakers and other supporters welcomed Ruto and Sang as they arrived for the trial that has been painted as political by critics in Kenya. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, a one-time political foe of Ruto’s turned ally, goes on trial at the ICC on November 12. He also said he is innocent. The trial also comes just days after lawmakers in Kenya became the first in the world to approve moves to withdraw recognition of the court.

Nigerian Jailed in US over $11m Fraud

A 42-year-old Nigerian, Edo-born Emmanuel Ehkator, extradited to the United State of America in 2011 over allegation of mail and wire fraud has been sentenced to a three-year jail term, and also ordered to pay $11,092,028 in restitution to his victims. Ehkator, who was initially arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before his extradition to the US is to forfeit properties in Canada and the content of several bank accounts in Nigeria according to the District Court judge, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Yvette Kane, Confirming the sentencing, the EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, added that Ehkator was part of an attorney collection scam that was responsible for losses of up to $20million. Their modus operandi, he said, was for the convict to contact US and Canadian law firms by e-mails claiming to be individuals or businesses outside North America who were owed money by entities in the US and asked for legal representation to collect the money. Ehkator’s co-defendant, Yvette Mathurin, has also been charged for conspiracy.